Gift-giving is much easier for some than others; we all know someone who is harder to find the right gift for. And, typically speaking, it’s common for the dad of the family to be the toughest to buy for.
However, anyone with a boy between the ages of 12-15 years old knows that they are just as tough to buy presents for. When it comes to finding the best gifts for 13 year old boys, it’s especially hard because they’re at the age where they want to be…cool.
That’s it, really — 13 year olds just want people to think they’re cool. As newly minted teens, they’re still searching for what that “cool” really is. So, I’m here to help you point them in the right direction — towards the cool.
Whether you’re looking for their birthday, Christmas, or any other occasion, here are the top 10 best gifts for 13 year old boys:
1. Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII 25-key USB Drum Pad
The Akai MPK MIni MKII is a great starter musician’s tool that I keep recommending time and time again. This Midi Drum Pad and keyboard will allow them to create their very own music with their computer, and it’ll also present them with a brand new hobby: making music.
Don’t let its price tag fool you, though. While there are other much more expensive midi keyboards on the market, the Akai MPK MKII comes packed with features. It has 25-synth-action mini-keys, 8 touch-sensitive drum pads and eight controllable/assignable knobs that all work in conjunction with their computer and the included software (as well as other, more advanced software options like FL Studio or Ableton Live). It comes with Akai Pro MPC Essentials, SONiVOX Wobble 2, AIR Hybrid 3, and preset editor software.
The MPK Mini MKII is also highly portable, fitting in most 15″ backpacks with ease. See the video below to see exactly what it can do:
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Price: $99
Buy the Akai Professional MPK Mini here.
2. HyperX Cloud Revolver S Gaming Headset
Gaming without a headset should be considered a crime, especially if you’re playing a competitive video game like Overwatch, Call of Duty, Battlefield 1, or Halo. And, even if your teen doesn’t play those types of games, having a headset on while playing any game helps with immersion.
If they don’t already have a headset or they’re still using the one that came with their game console, the HyperX Cloud Revolver S headset is a great upgrade. It’s a versatile headset that works with virtually anything with a 3.5″ jack: the PC, PS4, Xbox One (although you may need an adapter), Mac, and even their smartphone and tablet. When it’s plugged into a PC, it has full Dolby 7.1 Surround Sound, which is pumped through its 50mm drivers for unrivaled quality in the price range. The headset, itself, is extremely comfortable and stylish, and it’s made with a durable steel frame so that you don’t have to worry about them breaking it a week after you bought it for them. This is the gaming headset I use nightly, and the fact that it works with pretty much all of their game consoles is a HUGE plus.
Price: $149.99
Buy the HyperX Cloud Revolver X here.
3. Nintendo Switch
The Nintendo Switch is Nintendo’s newest console, bringing a home console/handheld hybrid to your living room. It’s an impressive video game console that’s on pace to outsell the 3DS with ease, and its popularity is likely due to the fact that it can be played right in your hands OR on a big screen when connected to a TV.
There are already so many great games on the Nintendo Switch, including Game of the Year contender The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and Splatoon 2. What’s more, one of the biggest video games of the year is releasing exclusively for the Switch later this year when Super Mario Odyssey hits retailers.
The console is appealing to parents because of its handheld capabilities, which means your kids won’t be hogging the living room TV with their gaming.
Price: $299
Buy the Nintendo Switch here.
4. Super Mario Odyssey
The most anticipated game of the year happens to be a Nintendo Switch exclusive, and we’re expecting another GOTY contender with Super Mario Odyssey, which is set to release in late October. The game will revolve around Mario trying to (yet again) save Princess Peach from Bowser, but this time, he brings some new tricks and mechanics. He’ll travel across many worlds (in the style of Mario 64) on a hat-shaped ship named the “Odyssey”, and the hub world is set in New Donk City (which looks unlike anything we’ve seen in a Mario game before).
What’s more, Mario will have a sentient hat that gives him new abilities as he traverses these new worlds.
Price: $58.88
Buy Super Mario Odyssey here.
5. LIFX Wi-Fi Smart LED Bulb
If your thirteen year old is into cool tech, check out the LIFX Smart LED Light Bulb. With this bulb, they’re able to illuminate their room in any color that they want (as long as it’s one of the 16 million colors this light is capable of). The light is controlled with their smartphone or tablet, and it works with a program called IFTTT (If This Than That) that will allow their light to react to different events from other apps (for example, when their weather app sends them a notification that it’s raining out or when they receive a new tweet).
It also works with Amazon’s Alexa, so they’re able to set it up to do things like dim the lights when they turn on Netflix.
What sets it apart from similar LED smart lights like the Philips Hue is that it doesn’t require a hub, so the price is drastically reduced.
Price: $49.99 (17 percent off MSRP)
Buy the Lifx Wi-Fi Smart LED Bulb here.
6. Create Your Own Comic Book Kit
Is he an artist? Do you see him frequently holding DC or Marvel’s latest comic books? Check out the My Comic Book: Make Your Own Comic Book kit. This is a super interesting idea for his age group, because it’ll harness their artistic ability and creativity.
With this kit, they’ll be able to make their own comic and have it professionally printed. They’ll simply design their comic with the provided pages, pens, and markers, and then they’ll send it out to the company with a pre-paid envelope. In just a few weeks, it’ll return professionally printed.
Price: $29.93
Buy the Create your Own Comic Book Kit here.
7. Elgato Game Capture HD60 S
If they want to stream their PS4 or Xbox One gameplay on Twitch or YouTube they’ll need a game capture card. The best option is the Elgato Game Capture HD60 S, which is incredibly easy to setup, thanks to its USB plug n’ play capabilities.
They’ll simply plug their game console into one of the ports, and an HDMI cable from the card to their PC monitor, and they’ll be able to stream and record their gameplay with ease.
Also, if they’re not into streaming, they’ll be able to record and edit their gameplay clips.
Price: $179.94
Buy the Elgato Game Capture HD60 S here.
8. Aftershokz Trekz Titanium Open Ear Bone Conduction Wireless Headphones
Looking for something really “cool”? These Aftershokz Trekz Titanium headphones don’t actually cover the ear, but instead, they use bone conduction technology to create mini vibrations that sends sound through their cheekbones directly to the inner ears.
That means that when he’s running or skateboarding in the street, he’ll still have open ears to hear what’s going on around them — whether it be a car driving by or someone trying to his attention.
Or if he’s in his room listening to music, he’ll still be able to hear you calling him down for dinner.
The technology is super cool and super useful, and it has a battery that lasts for 6 hours of playback. They’re available in bright green, blue, pink, and slate grey.
Price: $111.00 (15 percent off MSRP)
Buy the Aftershokz Trekz Titanium Headphones here.
9. Arrma Senton 6S BLX 4WD RC Super Duty Truck
Don’t go to Toys R’ Us or Walmart for your RC needs, because frankly, they only carry toy RC cars that aren’t impressive at all, meant to be a cheap gift come Christmas time. Instead, get him an RC car that’s a bit more formidable and impressive, like the Arrma Senton 6S BLX 4WD RC Super Duty Truck. This baby has speed and control that will shock him, and he’ll be the envy of all of his friends.
This RC truck can really take a beating, thanks to its durable design that includes a tough roll cage and durable wheels. It comes ready to run, and thanks to its brushless 2050kv motor, it certainly CAN run.
This thing is lightning quick, and can reach speeds over 40 MPH with ease.
What’s more, it’ll also potentially fuel his need to take things apart and put them back together, as it has a lot of potential repairs, upgrades, and tweaks. These types of RC cars are a tinkerer’s dream.
Price: $479.99
Buy the Arrma Senton here.
10. Fender Acoustic Guitar Bundle
Looking to harness their love of music? You simply won’t find a better name brand than Fender, and that’s why we highly recommend this starter Fender Acoustic Guitar Bundle. It comes with a beautiful (albeit simple) 20-fret rosewood hardwood guitar that has a laminated spruce top and a full-size body for a full, rich sound. It comes with extra strings, some picks, a strap, a bag, and an instructional DVD that they’ll never use (because, let’s face it, who likes to be told how to do something at that age).
Price: $139.99
Buy the Fender Acoustic Guitar Bundle here.
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